The memorial is granite and contains names and dates. It bears silent witness to those officers who have succumbed to the perils of their chosen profession to serve and protect. They are police officers and sheriffs, deputies, highway patrol officers and wardens with law enforcement authority. They are guardians of public safety who gave their lives to keep us safer.

Today is Peace Officers Memorial Day, so designated by President John F. Kennedy in 1962. This also is National Police Week, when we honor those who are sworn to uphold and enforce the law.

Police officers today, in addition to upholding society's laws, often wade through a minefield of regulations that govern their own behavior. Potential use of force, racial profiling, search and seizure, chase procedures and other complex legal issues factor into many decisions officers make. Determinations often must be made on the spot without time to sift through the potential - and often inevitable - aftermath.

Mistakes are sometimes made and the more egregious ones make news. Behind the headlines, however, is the fact that the vast majority of the time officers get it right in highly charged circumstances. They squarely face danger, resolve the situation legally and remove or lessen the hazard to society's benefit.

Most of us don't go to work each day sensing potential peril at every turn. Yet that is an officer's fate, simply because of what he or she does for a living. In their world, a seemingly commonplace day, event or call can turn violent in an instant.

Sometimes, they fall victim to that violence. The 271 officers named on the Wisconsin memorial have died from gunshots, in auto and motorcycle accidents and from falls, fires, assaults, heart attacks, bombs, electrocution and a number of other causes.

All have one thing in common - they died in the line of duty seeking to keep society safe from those who would endanger others by bending or breaking its rules. We all should be grateful to these officers for selfless dedication and service to a cause greater than themselves.

Flags are flying at half-mast in Sheboygan today in honor of these dedicated souls. Take a moment out of your busy day to thank them - and their brethren - for all they do on our behalf.

Press editorials express the views of the newspaper's editorial board. Readers are encouraged to comment on editorials through letters to the editor.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Email this article

Opinion: Remember officers who gave their lives for us

Peace officers deal with a wide variety of situations. All have a common element ? danger.

A link to this page will be included in your message.

Join Our Team!

If you are interested in working for an innovative media company, you can learn more by visiting: